A Hero Needs Help
A former POW and Medal of Honor recipient needs help.
The individual is SGM Jon Cavaiani, US Army (Ret). His heroism is covered briefly here. Helluva man.
Unfortunately, SGM Cavaiani has developed an illness that is life-threatening and will require a bone marrow transplant. Details can be found here.
Jon Cavaiani is a naturalized citizen. He’s done more for his adopted country than most who were born here.
Perhaps in some small way, we can help repay that debt. SGM Cavaiani’s Give Forward page may be found here. It’s possible that this page may also be of interest to those without a current DoD connection. For those with a current DoD connection, this page may be of interest. (A “current DoD connection” is defined as someone who is (1) serving on active duty, (2) a member of the Reserve Components, (3) a member of the USCG, (4) a current DoD civilian employee, or (5) a dependant of one of the previous four categories.)
Hat tip to Blackfive for publicizing the issue, and to TSO for first bringing it here.
Category: Real Soldiers
does he already have a donor match or is there a way we can be tested to see if we are a match?
I’m on the “Be the Match” list and would cheerfully donate my bone marrow to him, but I’m not able to donate cash.
Is there any way to send him our info for consideration as bone marrow donors?
@2: Good question. I was thinking the same thing.
My understanding – and it is a rudimentary one, so I could be wrong – is that the “Be the Match” site/process is the front end for the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry. Matches are made against the registry on a “best match” basis.
Ethnic background apparently plays a huge factor in getting an acceptable bone marrow match, so don’t be surprised if you get some questions about your heritage.
As I understand it, if you’re already on the list you’ll be considered and, if you’re the best potential match (or maybe if you’re in a group of excellent potential candidates), you will be contacted for further evaluation.
DoD also has a parallel process that, if I understand correctly, acts as a second “feed” to the list. If you’ve registered there, then you’re also on the list and will be considered. That process is also linked in the article, and is open to anyone with a current DoD connection.
For medical reasons, preference is given to donors between 18 and 44 (apparently that age group has a higher success rate than older donors), but donors between 45 and 60 will be used in critical need cases if they’re the best match. If you’re younger than 18 or older than 60, unfortunately, you can’t register.
Bottom line: as I understand it, if you’re already on the registry you will be considered and will be contacted if they determine you’re a good or the best possible donor. I could be wrong, though; if someone has better knowledge, correct me.
Hondo – I’ve been on the bone marrow list for years and they just contacted me recently about renewal… I’m 61. Maybe this is my last year… but they didn’t say anything about it at NBMR
Hondo…are you sure about the age thing? I’m 63 but also know Jon. Haven’t seen him in years but am willing to help if I can.
Honor and Courage
1AirCav69: that’s what both the DoD and non-DoD sites I linked say – age 60 is the upper limit to register, and they give preference to donors between 18 and 44. Sounds arbitrary, but apparently there is good statistical evidence to back that up.
im 28 and more than willing. judging by his last name, id guess he is italian by descent, so decent shot i could be a match. how do i go about getting tested or registering? can someone get me that info please
Ft Drum had a blood drive a couple of months ago and they also had the bone marrow database registration as well. All that it required was a swab of the inside of your cheek.
If you are active duty, I would recommend that you go to your TMC and see about getting onto the registry. It only took me 5 minutes and you will be doing the MOST IMPORTANT mission that any service member has, which is to look after the person to your left and your right.
Smitty: see comment 9. If your local TMC doesn’t do that, see the last link in the article – that link gives the process by which you can apparently request a registration kit be sent to you under the DoD program if you are on active duty/in the RC/USCG/are a DoD civilian/are a dependent.
I got to meet him years ago, he is a class act all the way around. Hope he gets well soon.
Hondo
I just turned 87 this pass March 3rd, so this leave me out, but I still have a few spare bucks put aside that I’d be more then happy to part with. Just let me know who and where to send my donation to,
Semi-regular poster here who just donated $50 anonymously (hence the name). Hopefully others can do the same, and I only wish I could donate more.
With all the posers and phonies around, we need to help and support the real heroes we still have; donation on the way…
I’ve been on the bone marrow registry for a number of years, and I’ve no problem with donating to anyone in need. It’s just too important.
Sam: the donation link is in the article – his Give Forward page. If I’m reading the other links correctly, any excess above bona fide treatment/incidental living expenses (may have to reside temporarily in the area where he receives the transplant) will go to a charity SGM Cavaiani has supported for years.
All DOD types just call the number for the center. Makes it faster. I got a auto-reply but the nice lady at the desk said that my test kit is on the way.
Thanks Hondo,
I Guess I was not reading the first part of the blog showing the Give Forward page,I got it ok now, always like helping one of my countrymen, or any other veteran in need of help, only wish my age prevented me from doing more, Let me put this out in our chapters newsletter and see if I can get some of my Dago members to dig in.
Sam
I hope SGM Cavaiani gets the help he needs. I had the honor of meeting him when I was in high school and SGM Cavaiani visited Ft. Meade, my father had served with him before so I got talk to him for a little while. While a lot of kids look up to sports and movie stars for me it was our military hero’s so meeting SGM Cavaiani was like meeting Jordon and it a memory I still treasure. We owe men like SGM Cavaiani all we can to help them.
Donated, thank you.
Thanks Hondo. Found the donation page…it’s probably a lot better than my marrow. Hang tuff Jon. Help is on the way from brothers you never knew you had.
Honor and Courage
I’ve been on the registry for years. About 7 or 8 years ago I was a good match for somebody and they sent a nurse to work and she collected about 6 more vials of blood for testing, the most she’d ever collected for the registry. Turned out that the doctor didn’t feel anybody was quite close enough so went with a different treatment instead. It was a pretty neat feeling to think that I might be able to help somebody out. If you’re not on the registry you should really consider signing up…
Anything to help a hero in need